Fenfluramine challenge test as a marker of serotonin activity in patients with alzheimer’s dementia and agitation

Background: Changes in serotonin (5-HT) have been described in both Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and aggressive/agitated behaviors. This paper explores a possible association between 5-HT deficits and agitation in AD, using prolactin response to d,1-fenfluramine administration as a probe for 5-HT activi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biological psychiatry (1969) 1998-11, Vol.44 (9), p.918-921
Main Authors: Mintzer, Jacobo, Brawman-Mintzer, Olga, Mirski, Dario F, Unger, Richard, Nietert, Paul, Meeks, Allison, Sampson, Royce
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
aggression
Agitation
Alzheimer Disease - classification
Alzheimer Disease - complications
Alzheimer Disease - physiopathology
Alzheimer’s disease
Behavioral Symptoms - classification
Behavioral Symptoms - physiopathology
Biological and medical sciences
Biomarkers
Case-Control Studies
Degenerative and inherited degenerative diseases of the nervous system. Leukodystrophies. Prion diseases
dementia
Female
Fenfluramine
Geriatrics
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Neurology
Prolactin - blood
Prolactin - drug effects
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychomotor Agitation - etiology
Psychomotor Agitation - physiopathology
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
serotonin
Serotonin - physiology
Serotonin Agents
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Summary:Background: Changes in serotonin (5-HT) have been described in both Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and aggressive/agitated behaviors. This paper explores a possible association between 5-HT deficits and agitation in AD, using prolactin response to d,1-fenfluramine administration as a probe for 5-HT activity. Methods: Five AD patients with agitation and 5 without agitation received a 60-mg oral dose of d,1-fenfluramine. Prolactin levels were obtained at baseline, and 2 and 3 hours following administration. Results: Change in prolactin levels from baseline to 3 hours was significantly larger among the agitated than the nonagitated Alzheimer’s patients. Further, there was a positive and significant correlation between change in prolactin levels from baseline and level of agitation. Conclusions: These findings suggest an association between 5-HT responsiveness and agitation in AD.
ISSN:0006-3223
1873-2402
DOI:10.1016/S0006-3223(98)00004-3